Talisker whisky – Island

Talisker distillery information

The Isle of Skye not only is home to a great number of archaeological sites (some dating back as far as 7,000 BC), but it’s also where Talisker set up their distillery on the banks of Loch Harport. Founded in 1830 by the MacAskill Brothers (Hugh and Kenneth), the distillery changed hands many times over the years, and has had some bad luck in its history. A raging fire destroyed the still-house, causing it being partially rebuilt between 1960 and 1962, with replicas of the old stills in order to preserve the distinguished Talisker character. In 1972, the malting floors at the distillery were demolished, and the stills converted to use steam heating. The distillery still employs the use of traditional worm tubs (as opposed to the more modern condensers), though the current ones (modeled after the old worm tubs) replaced the older ones between 1997 and 1998..

Talisker tends to be more peaty than other Island whiskies, due to peat being used during the Kilning process, as well as the water that originates in springs above the distillery and subsequently flows over peat. The whisky was mentioned by poet Robert Louis Stevenson in one of his poems, “The Scotsman’s Return from Abroad”: “The king o’drinks, as I conceive it. Talisker, Islay or Glenlivit“.

Talisker whisky

The core range of Talisker is made up of the following whiskies:

10 Year Old

18 Year Old

25 Year Old

Distiller’s Edition (Matured in American oak casks, and finished in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks)